Have fun, its not silicone that holds the stock ride plate on its urethane and it has alot better hold than silicone thats why they are such a bitch to get off. The factory service manual explains how to take the plate off.

after hoses and nipples are removed. Remove bolts holding ride plate, also remove pump, take a small bottle jack with a block of wood. put block between hull and jack in pump area. slowly jack and make sure you are going straight and even. the silicone will seperate from hull and ride plate you can cut it to make the process easier. once it starts to free up make sure you are carefull not to drop it all on the ground you want to keep the damage to a min.

after hoses and nipples are removed. Remove bolts holding ride plate, also remove pump, take a small bottle jack with a block of wood. put block between hull and jack in pump area. slowly jack and make sure you are going straight and even. the silicone will seperate from hull and ride plate you can cut it to make the process easier. once it starts to free up make sure you are carefull not to drop it all on the ground you want to keep the damage to a min.